Mahindra XUV400 | SMALL EV, BIG AMBITIONS | First Drive Review | TURBOCHARGED

Last month, mandara revealed its five new electric suv concepts, and now it has unveiled the xv400, its first production ready, electric suv based on the compact suv300. The xuv400 enters a small, yet highly competitive segment of compact electric suvs. It directly rivals the tata nexon ev, but on paper it punches a segment above and goes against the likes of the hyundai kona and mgs cv. Should its rivals be worried, we are at the mandra research valley to find out just that lets talk about the styling. First, with the xuv400 mahindra has spread a fine line in retaining the familiarity of the xuv300, while also differentiating the electric suv from its ice sibling. The most obvious update is the front end with close grills a signature ev move. It gets arrowhead shaped inserts on the grill which look funky up close but as a whole stick out from the rest of the clean bodywork. The xuv400 is also the first production suv to flaunt mahindras, copper, twin peaks logo reserved for its electric vehicles. It also gets copper accents on the front bumper side, skirts tail lamp and even a copper finished roof, while the projector headlamps are shared with the xuv300. Unlike the ice suv, the led drls do not extend down to the bumper. Even the tail lamp housing is similar to the xv300, but gets three distinct. Horizontal led strips the 16 inch alloy wheels are carried over but feature new, copper, twin peaks logo at the center dimension wise.

The xuv400 features the same width and wheelbase as the xov300, but is slightly taller and mm longer, as electric suvs do not have to worry about the sub 4 meter length restrictions. The increased 4.2 meter length improves boot space from the xcv3 and 257 liters to 378 liters. While these were pre production prototypes, the suvs did have uneven panel gaps and mismatching paints. We would give them the benefit of doubt and expect these issues to be ironed out before deliveries begin in january next year inside the xv400 gets an all black interior, with copper, accents on the ac vents, infotainment, dial and gear lever, while the dashboard design is similar To the xv300, the quality of materials seem paired down and quite plasticky. In comparison, the nexon evs cabin feels up market, and this is one key area. Mahindra needs to work on Music, even the tiny 7 inch infotainment screen and twin pod instrument. Cluster with mid display are lifted from the xv 300 and failed to impress with its dated layout and grainy resolution. That said, the xv400 gets connected technology and features like apple carplay and android, auto driver seat, height adjustability, keyless, entry and sunroof, but misses out on wireless charging. Music mahindra has not skimped on safety. The body shell has been reinforced in key areas with high strength, steel and designed for better frontal impact resistance. The xuv400 also gets 6 airbags as standard the xuv400 claims to be the fastest, accelerating mahindra ever.

That sounds right with a 0 100 kmph time of just 8.3 seconds. The performance is courtesy of front mounted: electric motor that delivers a substantial 150 ps and 310 nm. The performance also allows the xb400 to reach a top speed of 150 kmph Music. The performance is impressive: with maximum torque available from a standstill, it is quick to get to 100 kmph and even keeps accelerating hard past that we drove one mandres high speed ball and saw the suv top out at a speedo indicated 160 kmph. It gets three driving boats and its not zip, zap and zoom. It is called one fast and fearless these modes alter throttle response, battery regeneration levels and steering response. It also gets a unique lively mode that is activated by shifting the gear lever down from drive mode in this mode. The motor controls regenerative braking essentially allowing you to drive the suv using just the accelerator pedal. We tried out this mode at my city simulation track and found it to be quite intuitive and useful enough to allow for driving in heavy traffic. The xov400 gets a ‘.4 kilowatt hour battery pack. It offers a claimed range of 456 kilometers, which is the best in its class. It comes with fast charging capability and with a 50 kilowatt dc, charger can charge the battery from 0 to 80 in 50 minutes. With a 7.2 kilowatt ac wall box, charger, 0 100 charging will take six and a half hours and a 3.

3 kilowatt ac socket will get this done in 13 hours, while the xv400 underpinnings are similar to the xv300. It gets frequency, dependent, damping walls for better ride and handling characteristics. We did not get to drive the electric suv over bad roads, but it did tackle surface imperfections and speed brake as well. The overtly light steering wheel should be a boot in city traffic, but added little to inspired confidence during a high speed runs. Our vehicles, too, were not fitted with esp, which will come in the production models without the safety feature. The suv easily lit up its front tires in corners every time you stepped on the throttle to its credit, the tires held well and kept things in check. It gets disbrakes at all four ends and uses brake regeneration as well to deaccelerate, depending on the brake pedal pressure. I felt the level of brake regeneration to be a bit too much which led to less feedback from the brake pedal and reduced initial bite, while mahindra had revealed its electric content with its 5 suv concepts, it comes all guns blazing with the xuv400. It impresses with its performance, claimed range and balance dynamics.